Chinese Starasmine Stem

Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Jiangsu, Anhui, Jiangxi, Shandong, Fujian.

Stem is cylindrical, curled, with numerous branches, uneven length, diameter is 1~5mm; externally reddish-brown, with spotted lenticels and adventitious roots; hard texture, fractured surface is pale yellowish-white, often hollow. Opposing leaves, with short stem; after being flattened, leaves are elliptical or oval-lanceolate shaped, 1~8cm long, 0.7~3.5cm wide; entire leaves, slightly curled over, upper surface is dark green or brownish-green, lower surface is relatively pale, leathery. faint odor, slightly bitter taste.

Superior medicinal material has numerous leaves, green color.

Bitter, slightly cold.

Dispels wind, frees vessels, cools blood, eliminates swelling. Apply to wind-damp impediment, contracture of meridian and vessels, sour pain in the waist and knees, throat impediment, swelling abscess, injury from falls.